Be a wise consumer if you buy contact lenses on the Internet, over the phone or by mail. While such purchases are often a convenient and economical way to get lenses, it's a wise decision to proceed with caution when purchasing items through these methods. I have gathered some important hints and tips to guide you when making your next purchase.

When you buy contact lenses, first ask yourself if your contact lens prescription is current or updated. This is a must. Never buy or order contact lenses with an expired prescription. If you have not had a check-up in the last one to two years, you might have problems with your eyesight that you're not immediately aware of. In these cases, your contact lenses may not correct your vision well.

Ordering lenses without a current and authentic prescription may cause serious complications to your eyesight. This also goes for the check-up. The fit of your contact lenses will be reevaluated, and any changes in the cornea from the contact lenses will be observed and taken care of if necessary. During regularly scheduled visits, your eye doctor looks for irregularities that, if left untreated, may lead to severe problems. Contact lenses that are not properly fitted by an eye doctor might not work well, or even worse, may harm your eyes.

The minimum elements of a authentic prescription usually include your name and the doctor's name along with the contact lens brand name and material. Other lens information such as power, diameter, and base curves should also be included. These are the minimum that should be in a prescription, but some detailed prescriptions also have directions for use, whether lenses are for daily or extended wear, the number of refills , and an expiration date. These all depend on the local laws of the state you're in, as state laws often define the requirements for a prescription.

Internet stores sometimes make inquiries and check the prescription with your doctor. If they do check with your doctor and receive a verbal okay, they have already complied with the Federal prescription device regulations. If the company does not check, then they have not received a authentic prescription for the contact lenses. A written prescription may also be required and presented; again, this is depending on the local state laws.

You won't get into any legal trouble if you buy contact lenses by mail, phone, or through the Internet without a authentic prescription. This means, however, that the store is selling you those contact lenses as if they were an OTC (over the counter) product. This will be in violation of FDA regulations. Some Internet sites will allow you to fill out a chart with the ordering information about your contact lenses, your doctor's name and contact number.

Choose a reliable and well-established store when buying contact lenses. Request the manufacturer's written patient information for your contact lenses, which is important for getting risk/benefit information and user instructions. Beware of attempts to substitute a different brand than you presently have. Different brands of contact lenses have different water content and shapes. When you get the lenses, check to see if the store gave you the exact brand, lens name, power, sphere, cylinder and axis (if any), diameter, base curve, and peripheral curve (if any). If you think you have gotten an incorrect lens, check with your eye doctor.